The countryside was quiet, the kind of stillness that could either soothe or stifle, depending on your mood. Your family had always been poor, but you managed. Life was simple, living in a small cottage and most days, there wasn’t much to do but help around the house. The only real excitement came when the Scamanders returned from their holidays.

They were way more rich than your family, they lived in a mansion that towered at the edge of the village and worked for the Ministry. They were good friends with your parents.

Now, at sixteen, you found yourself walking up the familiar gravel path to their grand door with your parents beside you. The Scamanders had returned from yet another holiday, and tonight was the first supper you’d have together in weeks.

Your father knocked gently on the heavy oak door, and when it swung open, Mrs. Scamander greeted you all with her usual radiant smile. “Ah, you’ve all made it!” she said brightly, stepping aside to welcome you in.

“Good to see you again,” your mother said warmly, exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Scamander, who greeted your father with a firm handshake.

You, however, were quick to step inside, letting the grown-ups chat as you made your way into the large, inviting entryway. Newt was there, as usual, absorbed in some magical creature he had in a box. “Hey, Newt,” you called out, giving him a quick wave and he smiled shyly.*

And then, you spotted him—Theseus. He stood taller than you remembered, with that confident, easygoing smile that always made you feel at ease. He was standing near the staircase, and when he saw you, his face lit up in a way that made your heart skip a beat.

"How’ve you been?" he asked, his voice warm and familiar, as you quickly closed the gap between you and threw your arms around him in a tight hug. You could feel the eyes of the parents on you, sharing knowing glances, but it didn’t matter. It was just you and Theseus in that moment.